I love my trapdoor so much....

Doc,

Wonderful project and photos. I just ordered a basket case one today in 50-70. I think your helpful photos have inspired me to get mine working.

TK
 
Tidewater...

...I heartily recommend this guy Al Frasca if you get to needing parts.

Very interesting guy to talk to.

Be good to see some photos or your project as well.
 
1884 with new barrel and stock.

td5_zps0a9a7212.jpg
 
Archie...Beautimous!.....These trapdoors....

...enjoyed and continue to enjoy a great reputation among shooters but a terrible record with soldiers.

I can easily understand both sides.

I love mine but I would hate to rely upon it to try to kill folks who were angry at me. Especially with copper cartridges.
 
Yes....

Spoke to him early on but have avoided him since that conversation.

Prices appear to be way out of line.
 
Just received...

Hinge pin, Extractor plunger, extractor pin, and extractor. But the extractor is for a 50-70 and won't work in my rifle.

I spoke to Al Frasca and he has agreed to exchange it for one which is from a .45-70.

Also bought the triggerguard assembly and tang which has now arrived and the lock, carbine sight and barrel band which has not arrived yet.

I am going to try to make the saddle ring rail and the front sight.

This is almost starting to look like a rifle.
 
Put together

Here are some photos of the rifle with all of the components present.

Trapdoor001_zps9902af1e.jpg


I don't have the screws yet so the sight was just sitting on the barrel.

Trapdoor002_zps6604eecf.jpg


Sorry the muzzle is out of focus. A photographer I am NOT.

Trapdoor003_zpsed7b38da.jpg


I will be dovetailing the front sight.
 
Minor issue

Both of my trapdoors have a good bit of trigger creep and I suspect it is not uncommon in the marque.

I solved the problem in the one I am building by layering heat shrink tubing onto the sear.

Trapdoor004_zps7749f6d8.jpg


This got creep down to about a sixteenth inch where the finger bears.

This is a three position tumbler and I want the trigger to be right. If the tubing lasts, I will do the same thing on my other one.
 
When my tumbler broke the replacement was a two position one. It was OK but just different. Basically a 1/4 cock and full cock. You can load & unload on 1/4 cock.
 
I like it already! (heck, I liked it from the first pic of just the barrel :o) Shes a real looker Doc :) I cant wait to see the final product :cool:
 
Dovetailing the front sight

I made this sight and now I am afraid it might be too short.

Clamping this to the milling machine table was a bear. I had to be SOOO careful to get the alignment right.

Sight003_zps5441b1d3.jpg


I cold blued the barrel, and receiver to try to get them to match.

Sight004_zpse9d89ee1.jpg


Only just so successful. I might try that again.

Here is the closeup of the sight.

Sight006_zps8412a674.jpg
 
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